Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Common Job Titles
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher (ECSE Teacher)
- Resource Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- Teacher
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- KnowledgeDesign multisensory learning activities and environmental modifications that accommodate visual, hearing, intellectual, and physical disabilities in early childhood settings.Advanced
- MindsetModel inclusive practices and empathy-based interactions when mentoring teaching assistants and demonstrating appropriate behavioral expectations for preschool students.Advanced
- KnowledgeDevelop individualized education plans (IEPs) and instructional strategies for preschool students with diverse disabilities, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and families.Proficient
- KnowledgeEvaluate student progress and developmental milestones using formal and informal assessment tools to determine compliance with IEP goals.Proficient
- MindsetIntegrate therapeutic techniques with evidence-based teaching methods to support students with emotional, physical, or learning disabilities in inclusive preschool environments.Proficient
- KnowledgeApply learning strategies and differentiated instruction techniques to teach academic, social, and life skills adapted to individual student needs and disabilities.Proficient
- MindsetAdvocate for student needs and accommodations in multidisciplinary team meetings, balancing family preferences with educational best practices.Proficient
- Hands-onOperate adaptive technology and assistive devices including communication boards, alternative keyboards, and specialized educational equipment to facilitate student learning.Proficient
- KnowledgeInterpret psychological assessments, medical reports, and developmental evaluations to inform instructional planning and communicate student needs to educational teams.Proficient
- Hands-onDemonstrate mastery of specialized communication techniques such as sign language, picture exchange systems, and augmentative communication methods for students with hearing or speech impairments.Proficient
- KnowledgeAnalyze behavioral patterns and sensory needs to identify triggers and develop proactive classroom management strategies for students with emotional or behavioral challenges.Developing
- MindsetEngage families and caregivers as partners in the educational process through regular communication, training, and collaborative goal-setting for students with disabilities.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Special Education Teachers, Preschool (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
28,200
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $38,740. 25th percentile: U.S. $49,370. 50th percentile: U.S. $62,190. 75th percentile: U.S. $81,330. 90th percentile: U.S. $132,530. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
- U.S.
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $38,740 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $132,530 |
| Workers on average earn | $72,610 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- English Language4.5/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Public Safety and Security3.4/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.3/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Technology Skills
- American Sign Language Browser
- Children's educational software
- Drawing software
- Email software
- Screen magnification software
- Screen reader software
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
Tools & Equipment
- Adaptive paint brushes
- Adaptive scissors
- Adaptive utensils
- Alternative computer keyboards
- Braille writers
- Canes
- Communication boards
- Communication symbol sets